There is no hint in the New Testament that a Christian has rights such as those the people of the world expend so much effort in demanding. Jesus told us not to expect those kind of rights:If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the … Continue reading The rights of a Christian
Jesus
The kingdom of God
Here is a brief summary of the teachings concerning the kingdom of God from the Old and New Testaments. It was not God’s idea that Israel should be a kingdom. The people demanded a king so they could be like other nations, so God gave them Saul. Saul began well but soon fell in love … Continue reading The kingdom of God
Sin and the heart of man
It was long the belief in major Protestant denominations that the spread of the gospel throughout the world would lead to a betterment in moral and spiritual uprightness and finally lead to a golden age, a thousand years of worldwide peace, after which Christ would return. This teaching is called Postmillennialism and there are still … Continue reading Sin and the heart of man
Jesus the stage manager
Chapter nine of the gospel of John describes how Jesus healed the eyes of a man who had been blind from his birth. There are a number of details in this account which are easier to understand if we see how Jesus took this occasion to set the stage for a trap for the Pharisees. … Continue reading Jesus the stage manager
Biblical mush, or solid food?
“Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, … Continue reading Biblical mush, or solid food?
Stop staring at serpents!
Image by Ian Lindsay from Pixabay There is a mystery in the account of the fiery serpents in Numbers 21:4-9. What became of those fiery serpents after Moses made a serpent of brass and set it upon a pole? They had killed many people, but after Moses lifted up the serpent of brass we hear no more of … Continue reading Stop staring at serpents!
The sacrifice of Isaac
As we approach the time of year in which we commemorate the death and resurrection of our Lord, it is fitting to look back and see how clearly God portrayed this in the event recorded in Genesis 22. The birth of Isaac was foretold in an angel visit. His birth was miraculous, his mother was … Continue reading The sacrifice of Isaac
Why do I fear to speak the name of Jesus?
Am I a soldier of the cross,A follower of the Lamb?And shall I fear to own His cause,Or blush to speak His name? Isaac Watts, 1674-1748 There must have been people even 300 years ago who considered themselves followers of Jesus but were very circumspect about mentioning His name. Why are we like that? Are … Continue reading Why do I fear to speak the name of Jesus?
The Call to Follow – Book Review
Richard Langer and Joanne J. Jung have put their finger on one of the major causes of the ineffectiveness of Christian outreach and Christian organizations: everybody believes they are called to be a leader. They show how this belief is unbiblical and ineffective and urge us to replace it with the desire to be followers … Continue reading The Call to Follow – Book Review
Funerals
Death is an enemy. The Christian who has lived his life at peace with God and with his fellow man does not experience death as an enemy, but the doorway into eternal happiness. But for those who he leaves behind death is an enemy. Someone who has been part of their very existence has been … Continue reading Funerals
Flatlander Faith 